A charger is a decorative plate that acts as a base for other plates and dinnerware. Also called service plates, chargers are used for decorative reasons and aren’t made for direct food contact.
The word charger comes from the word “chargeour”, from the Latin word “carricare” which means to load and carry heavy items. These “chargeour” plates were much larger than the ones we use today. They date back to the 15th century and primarily protected the table from hot plates placed directly on the table. Much larger than today’s charger plates, they were sometimes used to carry whole roasted pigs to the tables.
Later, chargers became smaller in size and were used in upscale restaurants or private dining clubs. Nowadays, charger plates create elegant wedding place settings. For those who enjoy hosting holiday dinners, setting the table with decorative chargers and a unique flatware set makes the occasion more memorable.
In this table talk post, we’ll go over the purpose of chargers, the different materials used to make them, and whether they should match your flatware. We’ll dive into proper charger etiquette and show you examples of various charger plate table settings with some of our best flatware sets.
Why have chargers on the table?
Chargers protect your table from heat and condensation from dinner plates. Does that mean you should avoid using a charger plate simply for decorative purposes? No! Together with a unique flatware set, chargers add that wow factor to your table settings.
What materials are chargers typically made of?
Chargers come in various materials so you’ll have a plethora of choices to create a unique vibe to your dinner table settings. Glass chargers offer a modern look and can be clear or tinted. Glass chargers with a gold or silver trim add sparkle to a holiday celebration and wedding place settings. Pair them with a unique flatware set and light the candles for a romantic tablescape.
Metal chargers add a touch of sophistication, and come in silver, gold, and copper, perfect for your best silverware sets. Wood charger plates lend a rustic or organic feel, ideal for a rustic modern table setting indoors or outdoor wedding place settings.
Plastic charger plates come in virtually any decorative style and color and make a great addition to Sunday brunch or a dinner party. Lastly, ceramic, stoneware and porcelain chargers come in many styles to match any aesthetic. You’ll often find elegant porcelain chargers at wedding place settings or other formal occasions. For example, a holiday dinner with a crisp white tablecloth is the ideal backdrop for a beautiful porcelain charger with a white center and a red tartan border.
As you can see chargers come in many materials, from affordable plastic options to elaborate porcelain plates with higher price points.
Should your chargers match your flatware set?
We’ve paired a few chargers in various materials with our best flatware sets to answer that question:
Made of durable plastic, this gold charger with scalloped edges adds an elegant touch to your wedding place settings and special occasion table settings.
A celebration of gold! This elegant place setting features simple white scalloped dishware, gold-rimmed glassware, and a simple white napkin with a gold ring. The Twisted Urban gold flatware set completes this well-dressed table.
🍽️Don‘t be afraid to mix metals and metallics (colors). Many wedding planners are combining mixed metals to create rustic, modern, and romantic wedding place settings. Silver flatware with gold-rimmed glasses and gold chargers add a luxurious look to wedding place settings. Warm gold and earthy copper metallics perfectly complement cool silver tones.
Ceramic and porcelain chargers bring traditional elegance to a place setting, whether you want to create a contemporary or classic aesthetic.
Pretty pattern play! This modern table setting thoughtfully brings together repeated patterns and different textures, which both please the eye and invite touch. A blue charger adorned with organic white dots is topped with white plates and a blue napkin. The dotted pattern on the charger repeats the textural dots on the white plate. Chantilly is a unique silverware set that features satiny silver handles and an etched design at the front base. The Arabesque curlicue lace pattern includes a dotted border, providing the perfect finish to this contemporary tablescape.
🍽️Enjoy all the possibilities that mixing patterns brings! In the above example, the charger color and pattern (dots) inspired the color and pattern play. This combination was subtle but the unique flatware set had a distinctive pattern that was quite different. However, because the organic nature of the dots on the charger complements the curlicues and the dotted border reflects the dotted rim on the plate.
Wood and faux wood chargers lend a rustic or organic feel to a table. A great choice for garden parties or dining al fresco.
Rustic simplicity. This modern rustic table features modern white dinnerware and classic glassware. A woven beige napkin layered in the center of the plate stack adds a casual, textural element. Ridge stainless steel flatware, with its center pleated handles left in a natural state, is the perfect rustic finish to this arrangement.
🍽️Add layers to create a unique table setting. Layering colors, textures, and patterns creates visual interest and tells a story. For example, a smooth plate placed atop another beaded plate forms one layer and the napkin down the center forms another.
Glass chargers are available in clear or tinted colors. Like this black glass charger, they add a sleek, modern look to your table settings.
For a bold and modern look, there is nothing more powerful than a black-and-white combination. This arrangement features a sleek black glass charger topped with a square plate. Glassware with diamonds and triangle etchings and a pair of geometric candle holders add dimension and placing the napkin at a diagonal adds visual interest. Jason black flatware with its polished silver implements makes a sophisticated finish.
🍽️When creating a black and white tablescape, keep the arrangement simple and clean. Too many elements can look cluttered and detract from the classic timeless look. Don’t rule out contrast as a way to make certain elements pop with interest. Here, the highly polished stainless steel utensils of the black flatware are a simple but effective contrasting element.
Think outside the box with DIY chargers! For our DIY charger, we are using a planter stand (with the base removed). Many table stylists enjoy creating special occasion chargers, such as adding vine branches and moss to thrift-store-found plate chargers for a spring table or covering plastic chargers in cheerful fabric for an outdoor tea.
This modern cottage setting features a DIY wood planter charger plate topped with a white and beige embossed plate. A crinkled cinnamon brown napkin and a small wooden tray add depth and dimension. Plateau, a unique flatware set featuring square bevel-edged handles in an antique copper adds to the timeless look of this place setting.
🍽️Wood accents provide the organic warmth this décor style calls for. Neutral colors like white, cream, beige, and brown keep the feeling minimal but warm. Artisan accents are a big part of this look and nothing captures that well-loved, collected feeling like a unique flatware set in antique copper.
Charger plate etiquette
Chargers should be dressed and ready when guests arrive.
Place charger plates 1 inch away from the bottom edge of the table. Chargers should be 24 inches (2 feet) from one another to provide enough elbow room for diners.
Chargers stay on the table until your guests have finished eating the main entrée. Remove the charger with the dinner plate when it’s time to serve dessert.
Line your best flatware sets with the bottom of the charger for a uniform table setting.
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We hope this look at charger plates has inspired you. Paired with our beautiful artisanal flatware, we believe chargers add that wow factor to your dinner table settings that make your guests feel cared for.
